I never wanted a partner, but family tradition requires that I marry a wife, breed her, and give her life to the farm.
Maisie should be afraid of me. Instead, she follows me everywhere, insisting she learns who her new husband really is.
The urge to take her, drown her, and make her struggle is overwhelming, but when Maisie sees this brutal side of me, she doesn’t hide.
She welcomes my darkness.
I saved her from her so-called broken life, but now she’s trapped in my living nightmare. And if she doesn’t run away, she’ll drown in my darkness.
And she’ll never see the light of day again.
Author’s Note: This book was previously titled His Brutal Game. It is a slow burn dark romance, and it contains violent content. Reader discretion is advised.
Audrey Rush writes kinky dark romance and erotic horror. She celebrates spooky season every day, and she is obsessed with Disney. You can find her in the South, drowning in coffee.
THE DARK ASSASSINS DUET BY AUDREY RUSH. Well this was a kink in its self wasn't it? Lots of kink in this story and it worked. If your into proper kink then these are the books for you 😉. This is my first book by Audrey and it did not disappoint.
I know this was described as a slow burn, but I devoured it in one day, I was completely engrossed in the story. The book begins with an arranged marriage between Maisie (the FMC) and Wilder (the MMC). Maisie is a sex worker, and Wilder's family owns a farm with some... interesting activities. There are definitely a couple of twists in this book that I never saw coming, but they were executed so well. I would highly recommend this book, especially if arranged marriage is a trope you love.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Someone who really likes breath play and waterboarding as a kink, well, this is for you babe.
Aside from that, I'm more into the marriage of convenience trope with a dash of contract killer plot. Oh and our H is That was fresh.
Anyhow, had a fantastic time with this book. It's short, I'd finished it in one sitting. As a dark romance, it delivered the story. I have not much to actually say about this one. Pretty good but I feel like, we can get more.
I was so excited to receive an ARC for this one and I absolutely devoured this book, no surprise since it was written by Audrey so of course it’s going to be good. It’s not as dark as her other books that I have read but it was definitely dark enough and I loved it! I love when characters get their well deserved and hard fought for HEA, Wilder and Maisie were were amazing and I would love to see more of their future, we did get an epilogue which did leave on an interesting note and now I need to read Sawyer’s story because that will definitely be something and I can’t wait👀 I loved the characters and enjoyed the plot, it was also a quick read which I appreciated. A dark arranged marriage romance? Sign me up ✍️
Wilder was a broody, silent, and cold MMC, or so that’s what he was portrayed as at the beginning. All he wants to do is his job, which entails being a hitman of sorts, that’s all he’s ever known and he doesn’t stray from it. With Wilder it was very much what you see is what you get, he didn’t try and pretend that he was someone else, he did the opposite actually, he wanted to show Maisie who she was really with and give her the option to run away from it all. I mean not that she had MUCH choice since it was an arranged marriage but hey he tried🤷♀️ His character development was perfect, he didn’t really change much, but he began to care for Maisie and showed it in his own way which you can’t help but to swoon at💕
Maisie was a sex worker who was given a “choice” to marry Wilder for a million dollars, now she’s not stupid so she went for it, again she didn’t have that much of a choice it was more like she made it easier for Wilder’s father to deal with. From the beginning as we are introduced to her, she is shown to be a smart and strong woman, also very caring especially for those who she loves, and she does actually try and make it easier with Wilder in the beginning so they have a decent marriage but obviously the big brood is not having it😭 Time and time again we were shown Maisie’s strength as she went against the obstacles that were thrown at both her and Wilder, and no matter what, she never gave up on them and I loved her for it🥹 We also learn her backstory of what else she has been through and the guilt that she’s had to fight, as we do with Wilder and his guilt of a similar situation.
I really enjoyed the plot as well because I never really knew what was going to happen, both Sawyer and Wilder were in a trial of sorts that is tradition in their family, they ate given targets they need to hunt and who does it first wins, there is no way out of it as far as their Father tells them. We are made aware that both Wilder’s Father and brother have already made sacrifices of the women they supposedly loved, so I had this big thing going against Wilder and Maisie where I thought that at some point it will come to Wilder doing the same with his woman as well. I loved seeing hoe Wilder went from saying that he will kill Maisie one way or another to saying:
“If I see you touching Maisie again, I will rip your throat out.”
“If he made a move toward Maisie, I didn’t care that he was my father. He was gone.”
“I wasn’t going to burn, shoot, or stab Maisie. Not unless I went down with her.”
And that’s just a part of his possessive side coming through ;) Oh and just a little detail to add…. Maisie is the first woman he has ever been with🥹
I loved how the story wrapped up, the little plot twist we got near the end where Sawyer’s true intentions were revealed and how it all played a part in the story, I didn’t know what to expect of the ending and I’m glad it happened this way. Basically I loved the book and need to read the 2nd one🤩
I have yet to come across a book by Audrey Rush that I don’t love.
She really knows how to write the darkest characters, the most ruthless plots with almost a cool indifference.
Drowning Her is another example of that – not written to shock, despite the extreme, but to tell a story within a world that knows the abyss is part of reality. It is dark and gritty and brutal and exhilarating and spicy.
Honestly, at this point, when the FMC found out what the MMC and his family were doing on the side, I was almost surprised because I expected worse. Although it is really fucking bad. That’s how attractive Audrey makes even the darkest depravities. (Tbf, I read Grave Love immediately before Drowning Her so I was attuned to another level when I started)
The dynamic between Maisie & Wilder was so good from the first second on. I very much enjoyed their push and pull! Wilder in particular was such a well written character - I loved seeing all his different layers and how he was dealing with different conflicts on each of them.
As for Maisie: She is written with such a realistic balance between fierce, empowered, driven on the one hand and a battered victim of her life on the other. Even if a lot that she did made me want to yell at her, I was never annoyed or put off because it made sense AND she made it work.
The characters, all of them, really, are so clearly contoured and accessible. I'd love to learn more about some of the side characters!
Probably the only thing that I didn’t love that much was how it was solved. Because I saw the option halfway through the book and discarded it, thinking that if that would work, the MMC would likely have considered it earlier into the story… But that might just be me being two steps farther while the characters were still trying to untangle themselves.
This is a re-release that I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wilder and Maisie are both haunted by unresolved trauma—Wilder’s, is still ongoing and raw. Brought together by circumstance and an arranged marriage neither of them wanted, they unexpectedly find solace in each other and calm each other’s demons.
Their relationship is a constant push and pull, both emotionally and psychologically, keeping you hooked well past the time you promised yourself you’d go to bed. Their chemistry is raw, intoxicating, and charged with a suspenseful danger that’s impossible to look away from.
Audrey Rush masterfully crafts stories that find light and a happily-ever-after through dark, traumatic stories, and 'Drowning Her' is no exception. This book delves into taboo kinks and themes, embracing the darkness in a way that’s both compelling and unsettling. Make sure to read the trigger warnings—they are crucial for mental health.
Wilder and Maisie’s story definitely kept me on my toes. I didn’t know what to think of Wilder at first except he was just a brooding man who didn’t like anyone at all, then getting his back story and it breaking my heart, I understood. Maisie definitely didn’t have the back story I expected either. But regardless I loved the story for these 2. Although Wilder is a wild man 👀 I dig it.
There are just some places you shouldn’t read this book and your place of employment is one of them. Why? Well it’s impossible to read about these characters and not have outburst. Sensational story, it was if I was watching play out on television. Such vivid scenes and just a great foundation of chaos and madness .. just absolute madness. I loved it
This book is a brutal descent into love, survival, and the kind of devotion that thrives in the dark.
This is a very dark romance, including arranged marriage, murder, abuse (pretty consistent through Wilders entire life by the hands of his Father), water torture, childhood trauma, severe manipulation and more.
Maisie seems fearless, and unshaken in the face of chaos. She knows what she wants, and what she wants is Wilder, born in blood, shaped by violence, and incapable of being anything but what he is. Their relationship isn’t soft; it’s raw, consuming, and very, very dangerous.
This book doesn’t hold back. Gore, murder, and a body count that doesn’t stop rising—Audrey delivers a story that grips you by the throat and refuses to let go. But beneath the havoc, there’s a love that shouldn’t exist but does.
And Maisie? She wouldn’t have it any other way.
If you like brutal romance, devotion steeped in blood, and characters who refuse to be tamed, then this is a book you should definitely read.
From the very first page, Drowning Her pulls you into a haunting, suffocating world where love and obsession blur into something dangerous and consuming. Audrey Rush masterfully crafts a slow-burn dark romance that is as unsettling as it is mesmerizing. She 100% into my fav author list, by the way. This is the second book from this author I am reading, and both were 5 stars.
Maisie and her new husband are bound by a twisted tradition, yet instead of fear, she meets his darkness with an eerie acceptance. The tension builds with every page, keeping you on edge, wondering whether she’ll escape—or if she even wants to. The psychological depth of these characters is gripping, and the writing is raw, immersive, and utterly unflinching.
This is not your typical romance—it’s brutal, intense, and will leave you breathless (😉). If you love dark themes, morally gray characters, and an enthralling descent into obsession, Drowning Her is a must-read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Another tour de force by Audrey plunges readers into a world where secrets lurk beneath the surface, and danger is as seductive as it is deadly. Wilder's obsession with drowning since he was a child—a mystery that is revealed in due course—sets the tone for a story that is both chilling and irresistibly dark. The Feldman Farm’s family business looms large as Wilder and his brother, Sawyer, face the ominous Feldman Trial, a brutal test devised by their father, Forrest, to crown the empire's future heir. Watching Forrest coldly manipulate his sons is nothing short of spine-tingling, a stark reminder of the twisted power dynamics that rule the Feldman family. And then, there’s Maisie. Her entrance into this web of tension is as shocking as it is intriguing. Offered a million dollars to marry Wilder, she steps into the Feldman world with nothing but a leap of faith. In a dark romance setting where arranged marriages are common, Maisie’s backstory as a sex worker adds an unexpected dimension to the deal. Her choice feels both desperate and daring, a gamble that soon proves more dangerous than she could have imagined. The chemistry between Wilder and Maisie is electric. An intoxicating blend of fear, fascination, and forbidden desire. While Wilder's walls are high and his secrets darker than most, Maisie’s persistence is relentless. I loved watching her peel back his defenses layer by layer, undeterred by the shadows that haunt him. Their dynamic is a thrilling push and pull, with Wilder’s attempts to keep Maisie at bay only making her more determined to understand him. Amidst the ruthless Feldman family politics and the ever-present threat of violence, Maisie’s acceptance of Wilder’s darker side is as surprising as it is compelling. It’s almost as if she’s seen worse, a revelation that adds yet another layer of mystery to her character. Audrey doesn’t shy away from gritty realism and morally gray characters, and it’s this unapologetic darkness that makes the story so addictive. The ending, while not entirely unpredictable, wraps up this darkly delicious tale with the perfect blend of shock and inevitability. If you’re a fan of dark romances with complex characters, twisted family legacies, and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end, this book is an absolute must-read. Audrey's ability to blend psychological tension with raw emotion is masterful, leaving readers breathless and craving more. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A man so focused on maintaining hold on his self control because of the darkness within him and a woman running from her traumatic past by leaving her family behind find each other through a deranged arranged marriage of "convenience" set up by his father.
Forrest (daddy dearest) is the head of Feldman Farm, where Ranchers and Dairy Barns have different meanings than what you may think. It's Audrey, hello?! It is the Feldman tradition of holding trials for determining who will be in charge of the Farm's future affairs. Both Wilder (our MMC) and his brother Sawyer must both try for the position because tradition says so. In order to do so, Wilder must have a wife to proceed to the next part of the trial despite his unwillingness to want to participate. See, these Feldman boys were raised different and they both suffer psychologically, especially Wilder, as the oldest of the two.
Fiona, a sex worker, followed her best friend out of high school to escape her traumatic past, putting her self in dangerous situations with a volatile handler named Green. She and Bambi (BFF) are determined to make a better life for themselves, but choices are limited when whatever Green says goes. Desperate, Fiona agrees to an arranged marriage for a large sum of cash. We follow Fiona and Wilder through the beginning of their relationship and float along as more information is divulged and secrets are shared between the two.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book- particularly Wilder's POV (I always tend to enjoy the male POV the best?) and his growth throughout the story. I am looking forward to finishing the duet with the next book about Sawyer!
Wilder is the eldest heir to the Feldman Farm buisness, though there's far more to it than farming cows. Now he and his younger brother Sawyer have hit their 30s they can compete in the Feldman Trials to see who will take over the farm but they both need to produce someone to become a Feldman offering. When you have nothing to lose you dont have anything to give, until his father finds a perfect match for him, someone who would see their pairing as more transactional just like Wilder wanted. Maisie had spent years as a sex worker, now shes being forced into an arranged marriage, it's a chance for a new beginning, only it turns out to be something quite different, and her only chance at freedom is to find out what the Feldman family is hiding, but those secrets might get her killed if she doesnt drown in her husbands darkness first. Book 1 in a duet for the Feldman brothers, Audrey brings a dark brooding and dominating figure in Wilder to life, pairing him with Maisie who at first would seem like the last person Wilder could connect with, were soon proven wrong as Maisie brings a whole new level to Wilders dark desires! Well written with a great storyline and well developed characters. Filled with dark themes, twists, desires, suspense, violence, torture, water play, hot scenes and more!
I received this amazing ARC via Book Sirens from Audrey Rush. Having already been a big fan of hers, I was very excited to read this retitled version of her previous novel, His Brutal Game.
Wilder, and his brother, Sawyer, are being forced by their father, Forrest, to go head-to-head in a Trial, in order to see which brother will take over the family business. As the novel goes on, we learn more about what this business entails, as it is not what it seems.
Forrest decides to make a business arrangement with a sex worker named Maisie for her to marry his son, Wilder, for a million dollars. She agrees even though she knows nothing about Wilder, or his family. She quickly learns Wilder's true nature, and we see their relationship change and evolve.
Wilder has a particular kink, for a specific reason, we learn, and we see how Maisie responds to that. There is a lot of action, and violence, as well as a satisfying ending for Maisie and Wilder.
I am looking forward to reading the release of the second book in this series, Degrading Her, formerly His Twisted Game.
I rate this book a five out of five stars! Absolutely amazing. Wish there was more about their story! This story really made me feel connected to the characters and invested in their relationship.
This book was very dark for me. It wasn't necessarily the darkest book plotwise that I have read but it was one of the books where the MMC treated the FMC very roughly. It bothered me a bit but it was not a no go. What bothered me more and was the reason for the 3 Stars was the lack of inner monologue of both characters, but especially the MMC. I know this was part of his character but it made it so hard for me to connect and understand him. I generally liked the plot of this book though. It kept me engaged and I wanted to see what comes next. I think a few more pages about the characters and their feelings would have helped this book a lot, though.
All in all I would recommend this book only to readers who are really into dark romance and to read the trigger warnings before (although the title is a trigger warning in itself to be honest). Book 2 I would recommend to people who like romance and don't mind it getting a bit dark, especially towards people not in the relationship. It is possible to read book 2 without having read book 1, the most important details are recapped in the beginning so it would be easy to understand the story.
Wilder Feldman and his younger brother Sawyer along with their father Forrest own the Feldman ranch. In order to decide who with take over running the farm from Forrest the brothers must compete in trials with the winner stepping up to take their father's place as head of the farm. Another Feldman family tradition - the Feldman Offering requires Wilder to get married. Showing no interest in finding a wife his father finds one for him
Wanting a better life for herself Maisie Ross agrees to marry Wilder Feldman when she's presented with an offer to be good to be true by her soon to be father in law Forrest. What Maisie doesn't realize is that she just traded one bad situation for something far more dangerous and deadly. By the time she figures that this new life isn't as safe as she first thought she's in too deep to just walk away.
Maisie takes no crap from Wilder and their chemistry is instantaneous. I devoured the book in one sitting.
Drowning Her, the first book in The Dark Assassins Duet by Audrey Rush, is a re-release of the author's previous work titled His Brutal Game.
This dark romance novel delves into the shadowy and disturbing world of obsession, control, and the lengths one will go to possess another.
Rush's vivid and evocative writing style pulls the reader into a twisted tale that is not for the faint of heart. With graphic depictions of violence and manipulation, Drowning Her pushes the boundaries of the romance genre into decidedly dark territory. The author expertly crafts a story that is as unsettling as it is captivating, exploring the complex psychology and motivations of her characters.
While the subject matter is undeniably heavy and potentially triggering for some readers, those who enjoy dark and gritty romances will find themselves utterly engrossed in this haunting and provocative novel.
Drowning Her serves as a powerful reminder that love can sometimes be a dangerous and all-consuming force.
More like 4.5 stars for this re-release. I’ve read so many Audrey books, even ARC reading quite a few, including this one, and have rated them all 5 stars. The only reason I’m not giving this the full 5 stars was solely because I’ve gotten used to her writing now and how descriptive she is now. Some places felt more like telling, where I would have loved more details. But don’t get me wrong, this book was still so absolutely amazing! The plot, the characters, everything kept me hooked and I couldn’t put it down! Wilder is absolutely batshit crazy and I’m so here for it! I could never figure out how he was going to handle a situation. Maisie is so persistent and understanding and I literally just love her. Her relationship with Bambi is also so cute and wholesome and I want more of them so badly. The whole insanity with the family dynamics kept me entirely invested and I could not put this book down without figuring out what the heck was going on with the family and on the farm and the trial! Like what?!? Love, love, love and again I can’t wait for more from Audrey Rush!
Ok so my introduction to Audrey was a horror book. Since reading my first horror book of hers, I have been a huge fan. With that said, I will be completely honest, this book was not my favorite of hers. I know this is a dark romance and not a horror book so I knew it would be a different experience. I felt like there were parts missing, or at least the sequences seemed too rushed. For examples, when it is revealed that the MMC is a virgin, we eventually get to a whole different scene where he is not having sex with the FMC and there is nothing alluding to the fact that it is his first time so now I am lost and can't tell if that is actually his first time or we skipped over the fact that he lost his virginity if that makes sense. I loved the plot, and I grew to love both the main characters, but I just felt like there wasn't a more cohesive flow that I am used to with Audrey's writing. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book. It's not my favorite of hers though, and I am definitely ready to read Sawyer's story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is the first book I have read by Audrey Rush and her writing style has me hooked. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when reading Drowning Her, but I was absolutely enthralled by the end of the first chapter. Maisie is a really interesting girl, haunted by her past and the trauma she has experienced. Wilder is also haunted by his past, but deals with his trauma in a totally different way. They are complete opposites. Maisie is strong, caring and she is fearless in a lot of ways. Wilder is dangerous, closed off and is obsessed with his family business.
Wilder tests Maisie in so many ways. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what Wilder was going to do next, what Maisie was going to do next. I wanted her to run, I wanted her to stay. I wanted Wilder to force her to leave but also force her to stay. The range of emotions I felt when reading this book was an absolute roller coaster and I loved every minute. I cannot wait for this story to continue.
I received an advanced reader copy and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Audrey Rush doesn’t do gentle, and Drowning Her is proof. Wilder Feldman isn’t just morally gray—he’s drowning in pure darkness, and Maisie? She’s either the worst decision of his life or the only person unhinged enough to keep up. Their marriage starts as a million-dollar deal, but between the Feldman Trials, family secrets, and enough violence to make a crime boss blush, Maisie quickly realizes she’s in way over her head. Too bad she’s the kind of woman who sees danger and thinks, Yeah, I can fix him. Spoiler: she absolutely cannot.
This book is a parade of red flags, murder, and water torture, and somehow, it's also wildly addictive. Wilder tries to push Maisie away, but she refuses to be scared off—possibly because she has a few skeletons of her own.Their love story isn’t sweet; it’s more till death do us part—and in the Feldman family, that might be sooner rather than later. If you’re into unhinged devotion, blood-soaked romance, and couples who should probably be in therapy instead of in love, this one’s for you.
Thank you for the ARC Audrey Rush and Booksirens 🖤
where do i begin with this book? i didnt read the original (previously titled His Brutal Game), but from the author’s note, it’s the same story, just with some minor edits! i loved this book. a beautifully crafted strangers-to-lovers through an arranged marriage by Wilder’s father. Wilder has a strong exterior with a fortress built around himself, and i loved as Maisie slowly broke down those walls and how Wilder slowly fell in love with her. also, Wilder is a virgin- which is a rare read for me! im always seeing FMC depicted as being the virgin so it was a nice change of pace. i loved the spice the book has (especially with the water play), and the story had me hooked to the very end! there is some disturbing content as listed in the author’s note at the beginning so please do read that and make sure you’re okay with proceeding. *i received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily*
Audrey takes this dark romance to the next level! I really enjoy her writing style and dark stories! I ate this up!
There’s the sinister family and then there the Feldmans! They own a livestock farm. However it’s not your average cattle and dairy farm. This family is disturbing to say the least!
She does a magnificent job writing about Wilder’s horrific past and how its shaped him to have such an insatiable thirst for water.
Submerged into a marriage, Maisie and Wilder discover truths about each other. Here is where I found myself holding my breath at times.
The plot was sinister and the characters are unhinged!! I am absolutely here for it! I can’t wait to read the next book in the duet…Degrading Her!
Reader discretion advised Thank you for the opportunity to ARC.
I’m convinced that Audrey Rush can’t write a bad book. Characters: All of the characters were well thought out and had good back stories. The only character that I wish we got more insight to was Bambi. Atmosphere/ setting: Loved the tone the book had and where it was set, along with the code names for all of the jobs… Writing style: No notes, love Audrey’s writing style. Plot: Plot was great as usual. Plenty of backstory that made sense and kept me interested. Intrigue: Plenty of intrigue. Audrey has a way of keeping your interest throughout the whole book. Logic/ reasoning: everything made perfect sense! Enjoyment: Enjoyed this book immensely and I can’t wait for the next one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advanced review copy of this book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.. The idea of this book was solid.. I enjoyed the concept of a farm where shady things were actually occurring... the arranged marriage aspect should have won me over more... however, I needed more. It fell short in a lot of areas for me that I believe could have been sorted if it were a bit longer. I wanted to love Wilder and Maisie, but their chemistry didn't hit for me. I wanted more revealed about the family business as I feel like I still have questions or I just didn't understand the book given that I was reading it during a night shift.. I enjoyed the writing style and would still pick up another Audrey Rush book.
Damn Audrey Rush! What a brilliant and deliciously dark romance. 🖤🖤 Wilder and Maisie are two broken souls that find a connection in what seems to be the most impossible of circumstances. This is not a romance where it is all light, sweet and fluffy. Hell it's a book by Audrey Rush! As well as all the things that some might need to read the trigger warnings for, there are moments where Drowning Her gave me all them feels. Another beautiful dark read by Audrey Rush.
Oh, and p.s. Wilder totally stole my heart and submerged it in the pond.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
OMG AUDREY! Well this definitely leans hard into the kink side of dark romance, and that was right up my alley. I ended up flying through it in one sitting because I got way too invested in Maisie and Wilder’s intense dynamic, especially with the arranged marriage setup and the way their past trauma keeps showing up in every part of their relationship. Wilder being this emotionally shut off, slightly unhinged virgin with a violent job was such a wild combo, and I kind of loved how unexpected that felt. It is dark, it is uncomfortable at times, and you really need to check the trigger warnings, but I still had a really good time with it.
This was such a great read, I went in not knowing what to expect and straight away I was gripped.
Wilder & Maisie were thrown together, and damn did they explode. I loved the push and pull between them both, Maisie was desperate for him, but he held back. The tendon was wild…
Great plot, twists I didn’t expect. It was gripping, intense and I absolutely devoured it in less than 24 hours!
I love Wilder so much…. I need more of him.
Super excited for Sawyers book.
It was quite a dark read so I would definitely check your TW.